Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Wilson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hendrix College in 1962 and a Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1965.
He was in the United States Navy as a lieutenant (junior grade) from 1966 to 1969.
Wilson was nominated by President Bill Clinton on August 6, 1993, to a seat vacated by G. Thomas Eisele.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 30, 1993, and received his commission on October 1, 1993.
Two days later, the United States District Court directed that all cases before Wilson hereafter reflect his new name.